Happy new season

It happens every year about this time when the first day of high school football begins.

The heat of August is also part of the deal.

I’m sure you are thinking, “What about pro football, where preseason games have already started or college football starting its third week?”

To me, high school football season marks the last football most kids will play. For seniors, it is their last year to shine. And, for some, it’s the first time they will be starters.

Every senior has their own expectations. Many have been in the weight room or running to get into shape.

Speaking from experience, the sore muscles the set in Day 2 and 3 are difficult to overcome.

At some point, players will look at the schedule and will see one or two teams that had been difficult in the past lurking a couple of weeks into the season. Some will note the really good team a season or two ago lost most of their best players and will be rebuilding.

But most players realize the team that can beat you is your team. Your team may be loaded with talent, but too may intangibles can bring a great team to its knees.

Things like fumbles, interceptions or missed tackles. High school athletes don’t always realize a mistake can change momentum in a game. Teams with great leaders and positive attitudes can change a difficult series or first half into victory in the second.

There are teams out there that have one goal — beat your team. They don’t care if they win any more than that game they just want to beat your team.

I think it is more important to focus on the next game. Win it and move on.

My senior year, we beat every league opponent by at least two touchdowns. But when we looked at the standings, we were amazed that the team we struggled with only won two or three games.

Why was that? Maybe we looked ahead.

No we didn’t.

That particular team just played us really tough and we shot ourselves in the foot with fumbles and penalties and second-and-five might end up third and 12 and then incomplete pass and punt. For two seasons, that team was difficult to score on.

It has been 54 years since the beginning of my senior year of football; I remember the running and sweating and tackling and blocking and fumble drills.

I miss it.

As hard as it was, it was the best part of my athletic career.

This year’s team will need a new group of leaders to guide it team to victory.

Reorganize after a turnover. Not celebrate too much. Focus.

Every coach knows their team’s strengths and weaknesses and will set their sights on big and achievable goals. Each team will need to stay healthy.

A new high school football season starts today.

Some teams will be rebuilding while others will be reloading.

It is definitely a fun time for football players that will strive to reach team championship status but just playing the game is rewarding.

So, Happy New Football Season everyone!

— Dale Anderson is a sports columnist from Ritzville. To contact him, email [email protected].